Over 100 people slept under the stars outside this month to raise money to prevent youth homelessness at Sleep Out events organised by The Benjamin Foundation.
We were pleased to hold our annual Norfolk and Suffolk Sleep Out events at Norwich Cathedral on Friday 6th and Ipswich Town Football Club on Friday 13th of October. The events challenged people to spend one night sleeping outside so young people don’t have to.
With an estimated 129,000 young people facing homelessness in the UK last year (source: Centrepoint), The Benjamin Foundation provides a home and support to almost 200 young people Norfolk and Suffolk each night.
Sleep Out does not aim to replicate homelessness and what it is like to be lonely, frightened and vulnerable, but it does give participants a small glimpse of some of the challenges homeless people may face, and is an important fundraising event for The Benjamin Foundation.
Our work supports young people who may not have had the best start in life into successful, independent living by helping them to learn essential life skills, such as cooking and budgeting, as well as supporting their education and career aspirations and helping them to manage their own tenancies as they progress. The Benjamin Foundation also supports the emotional wellbeing of young people and helps to build their resilience and self-esteem. This vital work gives local vulnerable young people hope, opportunity, stability and independence and helps to prevent the local homelessness problem from growing.
The Benjamin Foundation Sleep Out has now raised over £320,000 since its first event in 2015, and the charity is passionate about being able to give more local young people help when they need it most.
Matt Garrod, The Benjamin Foundation Director of Operations says: “Sleep Out was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the work of The Benjamin Foundation and raise awareness of the important issues surrounding youth homelessness. The support from everyone this year has been incredible, contributing to a magnificent amount raised to support our work across Norfolk and Suffolk.“
The Benjamin Foundation is proud to be the eastern region partner of the Every Youth (EYH) partnership. Each of the EYH member charities around the UK organise Sleep Out events every Autumn to help support young people to lead successful, independent lives.
If you would like to make a contribution to support Sleep Out and The Benjamin Foundation’s work with local young people, please make a donation here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/norfolkandsuffolksleepout
With thanks to our sponsors Birketts and event partners; Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce
It's a way for them to feel listened to when in other settings they may not be, through no fault of their own. We empower our young people and as a result we create stronger individuals.
The Benjamin Foundation Youth Support Worker
